Historic Downtown Ocala in Marion County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

The Show Goes On

Photographed by Stephen Thomas White, March 31, 2026

1. The show goes On Marker

Inscription. The Marion Theatre opened in September 1941, boasting a streamlined, modern design. It delighted several generations of audiences with first-run films downtown. The Marion briefly closed in the 1970s before triumphantly returning again as a movie theater. In 1986 the building was donated to the City of Ocala and has carried on as an iconic piece through the ever-changing Ocala downtown landscape. The Marion Theatre was transformed into the Ocala Discovery Center during the late 1980s. The building reopened as a theatre in 2007 with a full remodel and modernization led by Brian and Tava Sofsky. Since then it has operated as a film house under various managers that included Carmike Cinemas and Carmen and Cesar Soto. In 2011, a group of motivated Marion County residents rallied to preserve the building from going dark with a "Save The Marion" campaign that led to continued interest and generous support from the community.

In September 2020 the Reilly Arts Center team became the operators of this downtown jewel. The Reilly has made significant improvements to the sound, lighting and interior aesthetics to heighten the customer

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experience while maintaining the Marion's charm. Guests can now enjoy an array of films and live performances at the theatre that continues to be an important piece of Ocala history and a key component to the growth and vibrance of downtown.
352.820.3049
50 S Magnolia Ave, Ocala, FL 34471
www.Mariontheatre.org

Erected by The Marion Theatre.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment. A significant historical month for this entry is September 1941.

Location. 29° 11.164′ N, 82° 8.214′ W. Marker is in Ocala, Florida, in Marion County. It is in Historic Downtown Ocala. It is at the intersection of S. Magnolia Avenue and NW Pine Avenue, on the right when traveling north on S. Magnolia Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 50 S Magnolia Avenue, Ocala FL 34471, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it

Photographed by Stephen Thomas White, March 31, 2026

2. The Show Goes On Marker

finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: First National Bank (a few steps from this marker); The Gary Block Building (a few steps from this marker); Silver Charm (within shouting distance of this marker); Marion Theatre (within shouting distance of this marker); Precisionist (within shouting distance of this marker); Skip Away (within shouting distance of this marker); Foolish Pleasure (within shouting distance of this marker); Desert Vixen (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ocala.

Also see . . . The Marion Theatre. (Submitted on September 12, 2026, by Stephen Thomas White of Norfolk, Virginia.)

The Marion Theatre image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Stephen Thomas White

3. The Marion Theatre

Credits. This page was last revised on September 16, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 12, 2026, by Stephen Thomas White of Norfolk, Virginia. This page has been viewed 19 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 12, 2026, by Stephen Thomas White of Norfolk, Virginia. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.